Having a great deck allows you to spend plenty of time outdoors enjoying your family and friends. However, deck maintenance is a critical part of the process or else you may find yourself frequently needing to make repairs.
Taking care of your deck is not that difficult and as long as you perform the right maintenance tasks on a regular basis, you can be sure that your deck will be in great shape for years to come.
Create a maintenance schedule and stick to it so that you can get the most out of your deck.
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Early Spring Deck Maintenance
When you get to this time of the year, it is time to wash your deck and get is prepared for the warm weather festivities. When you wash your deck on a regular basis, this prevents the wood from rotting because mildew and mold will not be able to build up.
Use the following steps to wash your deck at the end of spring:
Remove all of the debris: This is the first step in the cleaning process because you want to get rid of all of the loose debris that is littering your deck. Use a putty knife to get between all of the boards to remove the debris. You should then take a broom and sweep away everything that is loose.
Plant protection: You will be using a variety of tools and cleaners, so you want to make sure that your plants are not affected. Use plastic sheeting to cover and protect all nearby plants.
Choose a cleanser: The type of cleanser you need to use will depend on the material of your deck. Use the following as a guide:
- Composite decking: There are cleansers meant specifically for this material. Commercial detergents and degreasers can help with tough stains.
- Wood decking: A standard deck cleanser is typically sufficient.
- Vinyl decking: Mild soap and warm water and usually all that you need for this material.
Cleaning the deck: Use the appropriate cleanser and water to fully cleanse the surface of your deck. A power washer can be helpful and just make sure that you use the right nozzle and water power level to clean the material of your deck. You can use a non-abrasive scrubber to remove stains.
Sealing: Make sure that your deck is fully dry before you add the sealer. It takes approximately two days for a deck to dry completely.
Late Spring Deck Maintenance
During the late spring, you want to fully seal your deck so that it is ready for regular use. Use the following steps to seal your deck:
- Make sure that you have two days since it takes this long to complete the process.
- Use a sander to lightly sand the deck.
- Make sure that you use a sealer or stain that is appropriate for the material of your deck.
- Replace any missing or damaged screws and nails.
- Apply the stain or sealer to your entire deck. Ideally, you want to use two thin coats for the best results.
- Allow the stain or sealer to dry completely.
Midsummer Deck Maintenance
Inspect your entire deck for any problems or issues with structural integrity. Look for things like loose boards, rotting wood, mildew, and mold. If you notice any problems, it is important that you immediately make the necessary repairs to prevent worsening.
Early Fall Deck Maintenance
This is when you want to take preventative measures and make sure that your deck is ready for the harsh winter weather. Do another inspection and make sure the clean and seal your deck, if necessary. Just make sure that the weather is mild when you do this.
As you can see, deck maintenance does not require an extensive amount of work. While there are a lot of individual tasks, the major ones do not have to be done as often. It is best to plan out the maintenance tasks so that you can be sure that you get them done as needed.
As long as you take good care of your deck, you can be confident that it will be in excellent shape. Regular maintenance allows you to protect your investment so that you are able to enjoy your outdoor space whenever the mood strikes.
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